This seems overpriced but easily made--it might make a good gift.

[ChuckM]

Speaking of overprices, I saw this kitchen accessory at a department store on Boxing Day, asking for $52 Cdn:

[attachimg=1]

 

[mino]

Speaking of overprices, I saw this kitchen accessory at a department store on Boxing Day, asking for $52 Cdn:

Call me stupid. What that is for ?

 

[Packard]

Another ways is - when I was cutting my Systainers, I used the TSC with a minimal-depth cut, a plastics/aluminum blade and lowest speed. That way I was able to cut off top 5 cm from a SYS4 without any plastics breakage. Needed to go very slow, but it worked.

Ok, I'll bite. Why would you cut 5cm off the top a of Sys4?

I have a T-Loc top fitted (with a lockable catch) and afixed to my city e-bike back carrier. I took the top from a SYS4 and then proceeded to cut-off the top of that SYS4 bottom about 5cm to use that as an open-top bin when going about - to serve as a standard but detachable bike bin.

It came off as 5cm as on T-Locs there are reinforcing ribs all-around the systainer exactly 5cm from top - the bottom of the label holders ans similar is also on the back at the same height. When one cuts of the systainer top at that height, the strength is fully retained and the "edge" gets wider as a bonus. The idea was to make the top a bit lower, to make edges smooth/rounded and a bit more stable even without the top which normally stabilizes it. It stays locked to the bike when used like this, so the lack of any way to grab it is a non-issue. And it still can be easily removed. I actually found myself using it as a portable bin a bit more than expected. When full with groceries, it is convenient to carry them in it all the way to the fridge.

The reason I have it this way is that I can easily carry about SYS5 height in Systainers on my ebike when going to/from the shop which is about 3 miles. Allows me to avoid pulling out a bike trailer or a car when need to move just a couple tools. Also have one SYS I and one SYS II rigged with internal foams to transport sensitive stuff like hard drives etc. Works a sharm and protects stuff also from the elements, including sudden cold etc.

The T-Loc system is surprisingly good for this as it is a very tight fit which handles vibration well. And when it get a bit wobbly, there is nothign easier than putting a couple layers of tape on the interface surfaces to restore a tight fit.
Handles the vibrations better than a pretty high-end ($150) Ortlieb quick-lock system I used before that. That system handled itself well, but became rattly pretty fast and there was no practical way to resolve it given its interface design.

Not the best way to carry stuff on a bike.  A large container on the top of the rear bike rack raises the center of gravity and adversely affects the handling and responsiveness of the bike.  Far better are panniers (both rear and front) as these actually lower the center of gravity. 

Also, that large container on the rear rack make mounting and dismounting more difficult and more treacherous. 

In the USA bikes are rarely used for commercial transport, so there might be a better selection available for that purpose in other countries.

See:   https://www.google.com/search?q=commercial+grade+bicycle+panniers&client=firefox-b-1-m&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwiLpv-O15_8AhXOpXIEHXJgDxIQ_AUoAnoECAEQBA&biw=1121&bih=714&dpr=2#imgrc=t9la22qGOwO9hM

 

[peter halle]

Speaking of overprices, I saw this kitchen accessory at a department store on Boxing Day, asking for $52 Cdn:

Call me stupid. What that is for ?

Looks like a pasta drying rack for those who make their own fresh pasta.

Peter

 

[ChuckM]

Peter got it right; it's a pasta rack.

Me, too. I didn't have a clue what it was until I flipped it over and looked at the label and price. It did give me an idea that I could possibly make a few of them as next year's Christmas gifts with prettier wood from the scrap bin.

I should point out that as I flipped the rack over, a couple of the dowels fell off! The whole thing was filmsy (central post also loose at the base) as if glue were too expensive to use.

 

[mino]

Not the best way to carry stuff on a bike.  A large container on the top of the rear bike rack raises the center of gravity and adversely affects the handling and responsiveness of the bike.  Far better are panniers (both rear and front) as these actually lower the center of gravity. 

We are talking about use a bike for transport in a city not on a mountain trail ..
Lets just say that even with systainers in the back I commonly drive with hands in my pockets when it is cold as there is little need to hold the rides..
[cool]

Panniers are actually worse here - they are not afixed to the frame so tend to wiggle. Can be annoying when not holding the rides.

Also, that large container on the rear rack make mounting and dismounting more difficult and more treacherous. 

In the USA bikes are rarely used for commercial transport, so there might be a better selection available for that purpose in other countries.

Bar a 3 year period living off from city, bike is my primary mode of transport since I went to school on it 30 yrs ago. When there is ice on the road, I consider a bike the preferred - as in safer - mode of transport. Way ahead of walking.

Either way, I guess you are not used to ride a bike on a salted road with a couple centimeters of salt-saturated snow on it. Like I did a week ago. And came home dry. Unlike neighbours who walked in that .. thing to their cars ..

Panniers are great for occasional use and for good weather. Autumn rain on a clean road being good weather in this context. In bad weather they get extremely dirty very fast - so one needs to clean them before even taking from bike. And in salt/snow/frost they get eaten by it over a season. Two at most. Not to mention they are a favorite to steal - quality Ortlieb paniers go $150 for a pair and are easy to resell..

I do have panniers and stuff on my touring bike. But I am never gonna take my TSC 55 with me on a biking rip*. Am I?

But we are going OT too much here. The only reason we came here was Crazy's question on why someone would cut/trim the top of a Systainer. There is no need to argue about who likes panniers and who does not or why and when.

Especially not by me who has about $1k invested in Ortlieb by now.


* pun intended

 

[Packard]

Speaking of overprices, I saw this kitchen accessory at a department store on Boxing Day, asking for $52 Cdn:

[attachimg=1]

If I were to make a bunch of these, I would build a jig with three bushings to speed thing along.

If I were to make a business of this, I would invest in a 3 spindle or 5 spindle head for my drill press and make all three holes with one plunge.  CMT makes a 5 spindle for about $350.00 delivered form Amazon.com.

Look here: https://factorydirectsupplyonline.c...organic&utm_campaign=shopping&utm_content=CMT+CMT333-325+Boring+Head+with+5+Adaptors+32mm&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=17890253930&utm_content=&utm_term=&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIudff8Pef_AIVA4jICh1IkAGqEAQYBCABEgIzuPD_BwE

 

[Crazyraceguy]

But we are going OT too much here. The only reason we came here was Crazy's question on why someone would cut/trim the top of a Systainer. There is no need to argue about who likes panniers and who does not or why and when.

Especially not by me who has about $1k invested in Ortlieb by now.


* pun intended

I never would have thought of that, and I'm very sorry that I missed the response until now.

As far as the no-glue in the pasta rack, I would assume that it would be packaged in pieces and assembled by the customer? This would take far less space when shipping, so that was just a display model?
Who dries their own pasta anymore anyway? My grandmother did it all the time when I was a kid, but that was decades ago.

 

[ChuckM]

The rack came glued and assembled in a full-sized box. I suspect that some of the dowels came loose because of weak workmanship.

 

[afish]

This is a little disappointing to read on this forum. The cost of materials and manufacturing is one thing but the design also has a value not to mention the market value is completely independent from everything.

The cherry on top is that folks have no issue acknowledging that the design is worth something since they are discussing material choices and ways to copy

I dont see the fuss, its a picture frame for plants 3 main parts the front/frame, the tray/pot for the plants and a hood/light seriously nothing special here.  a quick search on google will yield a gazillion different and similar designs. There is nothing patentable here.